The New Colombo Plan Alumni Program supports alumni to maintain a connection to each other, the New Colombo Plan and the Indo-Pacific region as they progress in their lives and careers.

By 2016 the New Colombo Plan will have supported around 10,000 Australian undergraduate students to live, study and undertake work placements in the Indo-Pacific.

Over time the growing cohort of NCP alumni will play an increasingly important role in Australia's relationships with our neighbours in the years ahead to become an influential and diverse network of Australians with direct experience in the Indo-Pacific, strong professional and personal networks across our region, and a driving force in Australia's future prosperity and position in the region.

In September the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade brought together more than 60 NCP alumni from 28 Australian universities to discuss the design and operation of an effective NCP Alumni Program.

Participants contributed practical ideas to support ongoing connection with each other and the Indo-Pacific region through the alumni program, as well as views on communication and IT platforms under consideration for the program.

The enthusiasm and contributions of our alumni are helping us to shape the design of the NCP Alumni Program. A dedicated NCP Alumni Group has been launched on LinkedIn and state-based alumni events will take place across Australia in 2016.

NCP Alumni are encouraged to connect with each other through the LinkedIn group and to attend NCP alumni events in their state or territory. The NCP Secretariat is keen to continue a conversation with alumni about their aspirations for the alumni program as it continues to expand in 2016. Contact the Secretariat through ncp.secretariat@dfat.gov.au or through the LinkedIn group.